DJ Ost plays “Treig House” in this, his first appearance for the Jaeger Mix. The DJ, producer, label runner and club promoter, DJ Ost (Tore Gjedrem) is one of the leading figures in Oslo’s electronic music scene. One half of dance floor legends Ost & Kjex; the man behind Sex Judas; and a driving force behind Snick Snack, Tore continues to be a prolific statesman for Oslo’s clubbing scene.
Whether it’s a new project like Djembe Tekno; his live performances as Sex Judas and Ost & Kjex; hosting Snick Snack label nights; or Djing, DJ Ost is a restless and productive presence. “Treig House” is his latest indulgence; a monthly DJ night at Hærverk playing the lower tempos of club music.
It’s this project he represents for his debut during the Jaeger Mix with a set through the ”Psychedelic, experimental, groovy, freak music” registers of DJ Ost’s music collection. It moves between House, Synth Wave and even touches on some Dub/Reggae, avoiding one sound for the purpose of capturing a mood. It works all too well in the recorded format as we work our way through a blissful reverie of pulses.
It’s been a while since we’ve featured the DJ and artist on these pages. We talk about Treig House, his various concepts and the label, while we rewind and unwind through the next two hours with DJ Ost.
Hello Ost and Welcome to the Jaeger Mix. Give us an introduction to the mix.
Hey! Thanks for having me. The mix is a kind of representation of the sets I do at my monthly “Dj Ost spiller treig house» nights at Kafé Hærverk in Oslo.
Tell us a bit more about the concept of Treig House and the event at Hærverk.
One Thursday a month I, and sometimes my friends, play different types of music with a tempo between 90-105 bpm. A bit balearic in style with music ranging from jazz, disco, ebm, hip hop, post punk, slow house, slow techno, breaks etc. Directly translated the name spells: Dj Ost plays slow house. Not something I have invented of course, but inspired by the legacy of the club Salon Des Amateurs in Düsseldorf and DJs that are affiliated with that scene like Vladimir Ivkovic, Lena Willikens and our very own and fabulous, Charlotte Bendiks. Also I had an epiphany discovering the music from the now defunct (I think) Austrian label, Neubau some years back with its slow, brutalist & futuristic sound.
What is it about these slower tempos that appeal to you of late?
I’m over 50 now so maybe I’m just losing my energy :) Anyways, I had a re-awakening as a DJ when I started doing this. It opened up many doors in regards to what kind of music I can play out in the clubs and it makes it possible to blend many different types of music. Suddenly I could use a lot more of my record collection. There is also a kind of magic thing happening when you go slow for a whole night. That tempo becomes the norm and it allows for a different kind of groove and a different kind of dance. Sexy as f.
And it’s not only House, it moves into everything from Reggae to Synth Wave. What’s the sonic glue that holds it all together beyond the tempo?
I’m not sure, really. Psychedelic, experimental, groovy, freak music from many genres. It’s just music I love and I’m curious to see if I can move a floor.
Is there any crossover between these styles and what you make as Sex Judas, Djembe Tekno or Ost & Kjex?
Yes, there are some. The insane Strapontin remix of Sex Judas’ “Poppers Pink” being one. Love his slow, dark and sexy style. Also you have the Ost & Kjex tune «Laila» inspired by this and several Djembe Tekno tunes.
You always seem to be busy with a new project. Is there also a Treig House musical concept brewing?
Hahaha! Now that would be something…
How do you divide your creative efforts between all these projects you’re involved in?
I just try to be around and work with music as much as I can. And mostly focus on one project at the time, an album, EP etc.
Between playing live, making music in a studio, and Djing, what is the red thread that goes through all those things for you and when are you happiest?
I dig every aspect of music and feel that everything you mention has its charms. I love being in the studio on my own, but go crazy if I do that every day. There is so much life and energy in playing concerts, DJing, rehearsing, meeting friends and discussing music, so I would prefer a mix.
On top of that, you’re also running Snick Snack. Besides being a vehicle for your music, what does the label represent to you as a creative outlet?
There’s nothing better than to talk, plan and hang out with my Snick Snack partners, Kjex, Trulz & Robin, and all the Snick Snack artists. And say you look at your role with the label as a producer, there is a lot of creativity within that role. Matching music with the right visual artists, choosing songs for albums etc. I’m having the time of my life with this.
How would you describe the sound of the label?
There is not one sound of the label. We try to look for artists we think make unique and interesting music within the wide range of the electronic and experimental music field.
The latest is an extensive compilation representing artists from the label. What can you say about this one?
I mean that the Norwegian scene has never been better and more active. There is so much incredible and diverse talent out there and so many people making music, it’s just a great time to be a music freak.
The compilation aims to show some of this talent with contributions from many of our friends and peers in the scene.
One of the standout releases last year for me, was the Sadomaoistan re-issue. It seems like it was a very personal project from Snick Snack too. What does it mean to you and how did it come together?
Sadomaoistan was a sadly overlooked project and a missing piece in the history of Norwegian electronic music. They are a transitional act from the post punk / industrial period to the early rave scene, and their output really documents how the sound and scene changed from one generation to the next. Also the queer aspect is really important as many seem to forget where our scene comes from. We would be nowhere without the daring, hedonistic gay scene that paved the way for modern clubbing. Most importantly Sadomaoistan’s music really resonates with us and is music that is almost better understood in our time, when we are more used to this type of genre bending music, they so daringly released 30-40 years ago. It was an honour to work with this project together with Sadomaoistan founder Halvard Haldorsen, Zen Feedbacker’s Petter Flaaten and noise artist, designer and engineer Lasse Marhaug.
Is there another re-issue or artist that you would still like to get on Snick Snack?
I would really love to release the complete catalog of Tore Kroknes aka Erot on vinyl, but I feel this honour should go to our friends in Bergen. Tore is one of the biggest talent’s we ever had here in Norway and I think his legacy should be kept alive forever. His music was quite sample heavy so I guess there are some issues with that, but crossing fingers it will happen. It’s so nice to Tellé Records up and running again, so maybe…
What else is on the horizon for DJ Ost?
More snail house and cheese sticks, every month at Kafé Hærverk. An EP of reworked Ost&Kjex oldies. The Sex Judas character, Ricky’ s debut album and tons of fab. new music on Snick Snack.